We walked together along the lane till we came to the gate in the hedge through which we had started for the wood. Through this we could see right down the field, and there, coming towards us, walked Shafthead and Lumme.
“The devil!” I exclaimed.
“By Jove!” said Tonks.
“Can you explain this?” I asked him.
“I? No; unless you passed each other.”
“Passed!” I cried, scornfully.
I threw the gate open and advanced to meet them. To my surprise, Lumme looked at me with no sign of shame, but rather with indignation.
“Well,” he cried to me, “you're a fine man to fight a duel. Been in a ditch?”
“Poltroon!” I replied. “Where did you hide yourself?”
“I hide?” said he. “Where have you been hiding?”